You’ve navigated the technical rounds and impressed the actuarial manager. And now you’re meeting with upper management for a second or third round interview – a meeting with a Director, VP or even C-suite leader. This is a different game entirely – your deep technical knowledge got you here, but your ability to communicate strategically is what will secure the role and set the stage for your future influence.

When you’re interviewing with senior leadership, they aren’t trying to validate your modeling skills. They’re assessing your business acumen, your potential as a strategic advisor, and your executive presence. They need to know if you’re worth more than just the spreadsheets and coding, and understand how to connect your work to the company’s goals. This guide provides key strategies for actuaries to excel in these high-stakes conversations.

1. Always Think About the Big Picture

The biggest mistake is approaching this interview like a technical one. Depending on the team, upper management may have the technical understanding about your role, but that’s not what they are here for; you have already aced that part with the actuarial manager! You may hear similar questions from your previous interviews, but the way you answer them need to change. Think horizontally, not just vertically – showcase your ability to work cross-team and that you understand how your work in one area (e.g., reserving) impacts other parts of the organization, such as finance, sales, and corporate strategy.

2. Speak the Language of Leadership

Your ability to translate complex actuarial concepts into the language of business is paramount. Connect your work experiences to the metrics they care about: premium growth, revenue and profitability, risk appetite and market share, etc. Always bring up these simple numerical metrics when you are sharing your achievements.

3. Lead with Your Conclusions

Senior leadership are used to working under time constraints. Start with your conclusion or impact first, providing just enough supporting details to show how you contributed to it. Structure your answers concisely to focus on the impact rather than the process. They are less interested in how you built the model and more interested in what you did for the product or the business with the results. Always frame your answers around the “so what?”

4. Ask Insightful and Strategic Questions

The questions you ask are just as important as the answers you give. Avoid purely operational questions. Instead, ask about strategic challenges, growth opportunities, or their vision for the team and the company. Maintain a forward-looking perspective and ask them how your role can generate the value they are looking for. For example, “As you look at the next 3-5 years, what do you see as the biggest strategic risk or opportunity for the business that my team could help address?”

How Calculated Coaching Can Help

Developing the skills for c-suite communication takes practice. It’s about building new habits of thinking and speaking. At Calculated Coaching, we specialize in helping talented technical professionals bridge the gap to become influential leaders. We provide tailored coaching to help you master your messaging, project confidence, and excel in high-stakes interviews.

Ready to secure your next role? Visit calculated-coaching.com to learn how we can prepare you for your next interview.